September 18, 2009

CDHD Provides Strategy Details for Upcoming Flu Season

In the coming weeks the Central District Health Department (CDHD) will implement plans for protecting the residents of Ada, Elmore, Boise and Valley counties from the H1N1 (swine) flu. The initial strategies are designed to reduce the spread of the disease, especially among those vulnerable to the most serious effects of the flu.

CDHD expects delivery of the H1N1 flu vaccine sometime in mid-October and will immediately work to vaccinate those in priority groups first. Priority groups include:

• Pregnant women.
• Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age.
• Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel.
• All people from 6 months to 24 years of age.
• Persons aged 25 through 64 who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from the flu.

While the H1N1 flu has been shown to have symptoms and severity similar to seasonal flu, it still represents a serious health concern because it is a new strain of the flu for which most people have no immunity. Public health expects this new strain of flu will lead to an increase in the number of infections, hospitalizations and deaths.

Unlike the seasonal flu the H1N1 flu will most severely impact the very young to middle aged populations. CDHD expects outbreaks will occur throughout flu season, and affect schools and workplaces more than usual. In addition, the new strain of flu will be circulating with the seasonal flu this season.

Once the H1N1 flu vaccine is available CDHD will offer the vaccine free to members of the priority groups through mass vaccination clinics known as Points of Dispensing or PODs.

• Ada County:
  • The former K-Mart store - 1001 Park Center Blvd., Boise
  • The former Comp USA store - 1195 N Milwaukee St., Boise
• Boise County:
  • Boise Basin Library - 123 Montgomery St, Idaho City
  • Crouch Community Hall - 342 Village Circle, Garden Valley
• Elmore County:
  • Mountain Home Junior High School - 1600 East 6th South, Mountain Home
• Valley County:
  • Cascade Community Center - 109 W Pine St., Cascade
  • Barbara R. Morgan Elementary School - 125 Samson Trail, McCall

To better reach those in priority groups first, CDHD is also coordinating and supporting the following activities:

• Joint efforts between CDHD and school nurses to vaccinate K – 12 public school students in Ada County, McCall, and Glenns Ferry.
• Distribute vaccine to some obstetrician clinics for pregnant females (call your provider to get more info).
• Distribute vaccine to homebound individuals through their home health agencies (call your agency for more information).
• Administer vaccine at homeless shelters.
• Distribute vaccine to BSU students and staff on campus through the BSU Health & Wellness Center.
• Administer vaccine to first responders and healthcare workers.
• Distribute vaccine to jails, prisons or other detention centers for vaccination of high priority groups.

Once good coverage of priority groups has been achieved CDHD will encourage all citizens to protect themselves, coworkers and the community by getting the H1N1 flu vaccination. CDHD will make the vaccine more broadly available in the community through health providers and through special flu clinics at the three district offices in Boise, McCall and Mountain Home. All vaccine distributed by CDHD will be free to the public. Private providers may charge an administration fee.

Getting the H1N1 flu shot is important even if the number of reported cases is low and severity of the disease mild. Public health expects the H1N1 flu will continue through the fall and winter, and possibly through summer and into the next flu season. To decrease the burden of disease in the community and protect those at greatest risk for poor outcomes, CDHD encourages everyone who is able to receive the vaccine to get it.

Meanwhile the health district continues to provide education and information about disease prevention and home health care for flu-like illness, through its website (cdhd.idaho.gov), the Flu Hotline (321-2222) and through presentations to community groups.

CDHD is also working with its hospital partners to ensure the availability of expanded emergency room capacity, should it be needed.